NHRA: How the 2008 POWERade Countdown to the Championship is determined

Monday

Apr 28, 2008 at 9:35 AM

WHAT: The NHRA POWERade Series' new playoff system debuted in 2007.

WHAT: The NHRA POWERade Series' new playoff system debuted in 2007.

WHEN: The Countdown is in play during the entire season, with two distinct tiers in which the field of eligible drivers is reduced to 10 before determining the ultimate champion in each category.

WHERE: The Countdown can be followed in person at any one of the more than 20 NHRA POWERade Series tracks across the country. And all 24 races can be seen on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD.

The Countdown is composed of two distinct tiers called the Countdown to 10 and the Countdown to 1.

The Countdown to 10 is an 18-race "regular season" in which the full-field of drivers in each pro category is reduced to 10 who advance to the playoffs and remain eligible for the 2008 POWERade Series world championship. These top 10 drivers in each class will have their points adjusted in 10-point increments with the first-place driver receiving a 20-point — or one-round — bonus for winning the regular season. The first-place driver will begin the playoffs with 2,090 points followed by 2,060 for second on down to 1,980 for 10th place. The "regular season" began at the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals Feb. 7-10 in Pomona and will end at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Labor Day weekend in Indianapolis. Countdown to 1 is a six-race playoff in which the field of 10 remaining drivers eligible for the championship is reduced to 1, the POWERade Series world champion.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The Countdown to the Championship will allow more drivers than ever before to legitimately compete for an NHRA POWERade Series world championship.

The final six events will include full fields in a traditional elimination format.

The average margin of victory over the seven years preceding the Countdown to the Championship (2000-06) in the NHRA POWERade Series' three classes that run full schedules was: Top Fuel, 256.5; Funny Car, 221.3; and Pro Stock, 378.7.

Compiled from www.nhra.com

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.